Networking, a lot like pollination…

I am sure most of you have heard of Stephen R Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, if you haven’t, get yourself a copy and read it. In his book, “Habit 4” is called Think Win/Win. Think Win/Win isn’t about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration. When two proactive, mission focused and organised, people meet effectiveness can be increased far beyond what we can achieve alone. Win/Win is a synergistic situation where both parties can mutually benefit. Win/Win takes a certain amount of investment to favour its occurrence. The first step is to recognise what the status of our human interaction is at a given time. We must not only ask ourselves what we want, but also ask what the other party wants from a given situation, bearing in mind that it’s ok to walk away if a common agreement is not found.

The concept of “Ayni” is a value held dear to the Andean traditions. This practice of community sharing dates back to the ancient agricultural times of the Incan empire and is still practiced today in the form of working together. Simply translated, it means “today for you, tomorrow for me”. “Ayni” refer to the concept of reciprocity or mutualism among people, the law of “Ayni” states that everything in the world is mutually connected and interrelated. It is the only commandment that rules daily life in many communities like the Q’ero tradition: the law of “Ayni” – the sacred art of reciprocity.

The cooperation between the members of a community when one member gives to another, he or she is entitled to receive something back, still today “Ayni” is a form of service in which farmers assist one another in the working of the fields. Rather than managing a seasonal crop one family at a time, groups of workers would gather together to divide up the labour.

So, put simply, in networking by providing benefits to others you will be creating strong relationships that will eventually bring benefits to you. These benefits will be created often in a very roundabout way rather than directly from the person you benefit. Remember my pollinating theory, it is a small action in one place, which has a ripple effect that creates another action somewhere else. The give and receive philosophy is an enormously powerful tool for growing the profitability of your own business.

Networking is lot like the process of pollination; a small action in one place has a ripple effect that creates another action somewhere else.

Networking is all about how seemingly minor connections or conversations with one person may be discussed across the network and end in a connection later in the process. You never know to whom you are talking. You never know whom it is that your new connection knows; he or she could provide you with future referrals. Most importantly, you may be connecting with someone who becomes a member of your tribe and helps your business to grow.

So don’t be shy, unleash the bee in you and get buzzing.

Thank you to Steve Lund for providing this gorgeous photo of one of our local bee.